Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-22
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
SHORT SESSIONS OF BOTH HOUSES
Representative Mofatt's Death Announced.

Representative Mofatt's Death Announced.
The senate.
Mr.. Dolph introduced bill to provide for the
payment Of claims for damages by Indian depreda-
tions He said there were some 4, 500 such claims,
aggregating some s14, 600 600 or $15, ,OO0, ,OO0 1t
was burning shame that, for thirty years, Con-
gress had declined to take action ON these claims
The bill was referred to the committee on Indian
affairs.
Mr.. Eustis, from the committee on epidemic dis
eases, reported bill authorizing the removal of
the quarantine station at Ship Island, Miss. CAL
1t removes the station to some other island in
sippi Delta.
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.
The Senate then took up the joint resolution,
introduced by Mr. Dolph on the 18th inst, pro-
posing unconstitutional amendment on the subject
OF marriage and divorce and prohibiting bigamy
and p0lygamy. The proposed amendment Is in
the following words: Congress shall have power
by general laws applicable alike to ali the States
and Territories; and neither bigamy nor polygamy
snail exist or be permitted within the United
states or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
MI DOlph addressed the Senate In support OF
the joint resolution. He spoke OF the SacredneSs
OF tne marriage relations OF the many varying
marrying and divorce laws In the several states or
the Union, and OF the propriety OF having q unl-
70, IN system governing marriage and divorce
throughout the United states. He denied that he
was Influenced in introducing the resolution by
any desire to pave the way for the admission OF
I Stah as state; and after giving sketch OF the
history or the Norman Church, he declared his un-
alterable opposition TO the admission of Utah SO
long as there Was any possibility for the con-
tinuance OF the domination OF the Norman hier-
archy.
At the close OF his remarks the Joint resolution
was 0roered 10 lie on the table, Mr. Cullom saying
tnaI ne proposed TO submit some remarks upon II
redSSemhltnO ia
BILLS PASSED.
Senate bills to establish two additional land
offices In Colorado, and to remove the political
disabilities Of Abraham c. Myers, were taken up
and passed.
GAvEL FOR THE PRESIDING OFFICER
Mr.. Butler presented letter from the secretary
Of the Mexican veteran Association, accompany
Ing gavel wrought out OF three hundred and fifty
separate pieces wood taStefully tniatd the work
OF veteran OF the Mexican war; Charles Upper
huSter, formerly of the Third United states Artil-
lery now residing In Charleston, s. c. The letter
suggested tne presentation OF the gayel TO the
siding Off1cer OF the Senate. The matter was re-
1erred to the committee On rules
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
The Presiding officer announced the app0int-
ment OF the special committee to Investigate the
condition OF the five civilized tribes Of Indians. as
follows; Messrs. Butler, Morgan, Dawes, Cameron,
Mr.. Teller introduced bill to provide for the
compulsory education OF Indian children. Re-
ferred.
ADJOURNED TO JANUARY 4.
The Senate then, ON motion OF Mr. Allison. at
Ills proceeded TO executive business After half
an hour the open session was resumed, when a
message from the House announced the death Of
Representative Moffatt, Of Michigan.
ON motion OF Mr.. Palmer the usual resolutions Of
regret were aadopted; committee appointed
palmer, Teller, and Jones' OF Ark TO attend the
funeral at the dead members late home In Ira
verse CITY; and, as further mark OF respect, the
IN udIr -xfaxr
4, 1888.
House Of representative.
ExBLsAs OF MOURNING FOR THE FIRST TINE THIS
SESSION.
When the House met to-day the desk recently
Occupied by Mr.. Mouatt (Alich.>, who died In
Providence Hospital this morning, was draped In
emblens OF mourning and decked with flowers,
The chaplain offered the following prayer: AL.
mighty God, in the midst Of this gay and festive
season We are startled by the sudden death of a
member or this House. Impress upon us all the
solemn sense that there is but step between us
anu ueath. so may every man order his house
that he may likewise be ready when the summons
shall come. Comfort and cheer the widow; up-
fatherless and may they and all tnat were dear to
him hnd In Thee the consolation which alone can
be had at such time. We commend to Thy Al
ncers and all connected with the service OF this
House Go with those who journey; abide with
those that remain, and in ali our homes may there
De merry Christmas and happy New Year.
MONTHS SALARY TO DISCHARGED EMPLOYER
Mr.. Adams Qll) offered a resolution for the pay
ment OF months salary to House employees who
were on the roll on December but who have
since been discharged or who may be discharged
prior 10 January l.. lrhis Is similar In substance
10 the joint resolution passed some days since eX-
cept that under the joint resolution the payment
must be made from the Treasury, while under the
pend,ing resolution the payment Is made from the
In speaking to the resolution Mr.. Herbert (Ala.>.
remarked upon the action Of certain Senators In
ton, an action which he thought was incafied for
In view OF the fact that Senators voted themselves
each clerk and insisted upon paying their en-
@ployes @ - per cent more than was received by the
Mr.. Bland, OF Missouri, moved to refer the reso-
Iutlon 10 the committee on accounts. Agreed to
yeas 93, nays 81.
MIR. Herman, OF oregon, offered a resolution in
creasing the membership OF the committee on
rivers and harbOrs to seventeen. Referred to CON-
mittee on rules
MR.. AoFFArT's DEATH ANNOUNCED.
Mr.. Burrows, OF Michigan, said that 1t became
his painful duty on behalf Of the Michigan dele
CATION to announce to the House the death of Hon
Seth C. Mofratt. In his death the delegation felt
personal bereavement, and his State has lost wise
and able Congressman.
Mr.. Burrows then offered a series OF resolutions
which were unanimously adopted, expressive OF
Moffatps DEATH and providing for the appointment
OF joint committee OF seven Representatives and
Inree senators 10 Super1ntend the funeral and eS-
cOrt the remains OF the deceased to the place Of
burial.
ADJOURNED TO MEET JANUARY T.
The House then at lis, as mark OF respect to
the memory OF the deceased, adjourned. to meet on
Wednesday, January 4, 1888.
The District i'm Congress.
THE CAPITAL RAPID TRANSIT STREET RAILWAY CON-
PANY.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Sp0Oner introduced
bill to incorporate the Capital Rapid Transit
Street Railway Co. OF the District. It names as
incOrporatOrs Messrs ThOs. j. Mayall OF Boston:
Geo. b, LOrtng, Geo. l. Ordway, franklin Tenney
and Preston s. Smith, OF Washington; Elijah Cof-
lin and II. G. Vanderbilt OF New York; j, C. War.
rem, OF Wisconsin, and Ed. r. Tinker, OF Massachu-
setts and their associates, and authorizes them 10
construct an elevated railway In the District on
the Maya system OF iron STEEL to be operated by
cable or ELECTRICAL motors, with the necessary
switches, turn0utS, and other mechanical devices
through and along the following route:
Commencing at the intersection OF Bridge street
and 36th street. in West Washington; thence
along Bridge to Pennsylvania avenue to L, to 18TH
along g TO 9th, along 9th to B northwest, along
to 6tn; thence north on 9th to Louisiana avenue,
along the latter through to Indiana avenue
along the latter TO 1st; thence east on to North
Capitol; thence south on North Capitol to B;
thence east on b, along Capitol grounds to 1st
northeast. ana continuing along 70 9Th north
east; thence east on 9TH TO II southeast;
thence along TO 11th southeast; thence along
11th TO the Anacostia Bridge. Also branch lines
as follows: Commencing at 9th and northwest.
south along 9th TO Water; thence northerly along
Water 70 southwest; along east 10 9Th. Com
mencing at Louisiana avenue and 5th northwest,
north along 5th TO Boundary; thence along Bound
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